TWAC is springing ahead on tree planting plans

TWAC member Al Harrington poses beside the sign he created for the committee to display during the Winter Tree Scavenger Hunt. (click for larger version)

January 26, 2011

STURBRIDGE — Since its inception in 2009, the Tree Warden Advisory Committee (TWAC) has emerged as one of the most productive volunteer groups in town.

Last year, members of the committee planted 35 trees in Sturbridge, and they are hoping to plant 50 more on both public and private lands.

Although the committee is fairly new, its members have participated in several volunteer projects over the last two years, including the Winter Tree Scavenger Hunt that was held by the Conservation Commission last month. In addition, TWAC members Joseph Kowalski and Calvin Montigny helped plant a flowering crabapple tree in the park located at the intersection of Route 20 and Cedar Street. The park is maintained by members of the Sturbridge Rotary Club, and the club presented both Kowalski and Montigny with plaques at its meeting last Monday evening to express the Rotary Club's appreciation of their efforts.

"The Tree Warden Advisory Committee focuses on service to the community, and our tree planting program is a perfect example of this service," said Kowalski, who owns Sturbridge's Ganesh Tree and Plant Health Care and is certified by both the Massachusetts Arborist Association and the International Society of Arboriculture.

TWAC members are seeking requests from residents for places to plant the 50 trees this year. Private citizens, business owners, and representatives from community centers can request trees to be planted on their properties, but the TWAC must approve the location in which each prospective recipient intends to plant the trees.

For more on this story, please see tomorrow's Southbridge Evening News.